Pittsburgh Steeler William Gay is usually focusing on shutting down opposing receivers, but he's changing his game plan to open up about his personal experience with domestic violence in hope of helping others.

Gay, a fourth-year cornerback, told Channel 4 Action News anchor Sally Wiggin that he was 8 years old when his stepfather murdered his mother before killing himself.

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Gay said he decided to go public with his story after visiting the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh during Thanksgiving, eventually agreeing to do a public service announcement.

"I got up there and I told them, 'Hey, I went through the same thing. My mom died from domestic violence,' and they were like, 'Whoa, we didn't know that,'" said Gay.

Gay told Wiggin that he was at his grandmother's house when his mother was shot and killed 18 years ago in Tallahassee, Fla.

He said his grandmother watched as he descended into a path of fighting and school suspensions after his mother's death.

"I went through a period, probably like five years, of just hatred. I hated the world. I was wondering why this happened to me. Why my mom had to be taken," said Gay.

Gay said he credits his uncle for helping to change his life, and thought what his mom would say about his behavior.

"A light just clicked and I was like, 'If my mom was here, I wouldn't be doing none of this,' so I kind of stepped back and said, 'Hey, I'm acting like she's standing right here next to me in my ear saying, boy, you better not be doing that. You know I don't allow that in this house,'" said Gay.

Barbara Nicholas, of the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, said Gay's willingness to share his personal experiences with domestic violence will go a long way toward helping others.

"He turned his life around and got moving in the right direction and steps forward to talk about this as a celebrity and mentor to young people, he's going to go a long way to help other young children who are struggling to find their way in the face of this issue," said Nicholas.

Gay said he never witnessed the domestic violence against his mother but said he believes she was killed while trying to leave her husband.

Anyone who knows a victim of domestic violence can call the Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh at 412-687-8005 or visit wcspittsburgh.org.